Have Yourself a Merry Little Witness

title: Have Yourself a Merry Little Witness
author: Dakota Cassidy
series: Marshmallow Hollow Mysteries #2
published: 29 October 2020
publisher: self-published
genre(s): cozy mystery, paranormal
pages: 223
source: bought
format: eBook
buy/shelve it: Amazon | B&N | StoryGraph | Goodreads

rating: | series rating:

the blurb

Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow, Maine, a holiday mystery, where it's all Christmas all the time and murder is hung by the chimney with care...

For an adorable little Christmas town, Marshmallow Hollow sure sees a lot of action. Just days off the last murder—solved by moi, Halliday Valentine, and my gorgeous tenant, Hobbs—I’m eagerly awaiting a visit from my dear Uncle Darling and his husband, Monty, when my phone blows up.

Another murder, this time at the convenience store on the edge of town…and Uncle Monty was hurt in the process.

Without hesitation, Hobbs and I jump into action, seeking justice for the deceased and both of my uncles. Between ambulance-chasing lawyers, career-climbing journalists and chain-smoking ex-drug dealers, we have more than enough suspects to go around.

But how do any of them connect to three missing girls from neighboring towns…?

Will Monty, the only living witness, be safe while the killer’s at large …?

Will Atticus, my adorbs hummingbird familiar, magic me to Siberia when I use one too many spells for his liking…?

And most of all, how will Handsome Hobbs react when he learns my frequent “migraines” are a lot less neurological…and a whole lot more paranormal?

❗❗ content warning: some graphic violence ❗❗

a few notes

cover notes: perfect for the series
keywords/phrases: kidnapping, magic, drag queens, family
mood reading: in the mood for a solid mystery
bonus points: witty banter, great characters

my review

Have Yourself a Merry Little Witness was a bit of a two-for-one, with not only a murder case but a missing persons one, too. The whodunit in this one was very well done, the revealed identity of the bad guy a complete surprise. The twists and turns had me going in entirely different directions. And the motive shocked me even more!

I also loved the developing romance between Halliday and Hobbs, and his easy acceptance of her visions as real and worthy. That made me love him even more!

And Uncle Darling… her mother’s best friend and a retired drag queen. As overdramatic as he could be, he was also sweet, kind, loving, and utterly hilarious. I loved the interplay between Uncle Darling and Halliday, but I also loved it between Uncle Darling and Hobbs.

Great story in a fun series!

---

Rating Report
plot
characters
writing
pacing
Overall:

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2022 Craving For Cozies Reading Challenge

Related Posts